Dwell equips churches to create support systems for vulnerable children and the families who love them. we recognize the deep need for consistent and sincere love, hope, nurturing, and accountability to help children in the foster system thrive.
We call these support systems Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs).
Current statistics report that more than 50% of families who are approved to foster do so for less than one year. But those with adequate support are more likely to foster stronger and longer.
When churches are willing to partner in the cause of caring for orphans and vulnerable children, we want to do all we can to help them be champions. That’s where our step-by-step model of Family Advocacy Ministries (FAMs) comes in.
WHY FAMS?
They empower the willing. We know that churches are full of people who want to make a positive impact, but don’t always know how. With help to openly and effectively share about the problems at-risk children are experiencing, families will step up, either by becoming a foster or adoptive family or by deciding to support a family in crisis. They simply need a plan.
Through FAMs, churches are able to:
• Recruit and equip families to care for at-risk kids
• Serve foster families, adoptive families, and biological families in crisis
• Advocate on behalf of families and vulnerable children
• Minister to families by meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
Your church can make an eternal impact on a child, and on the families opening their lives to God’s work through foster care.
This is what it looks like:
This is the impact made when churches step into the space of caring for orphans, vulnerable children, and the families who love them.
Starting a FAM At your church is easy
Step 1:
Step 2:
Care communities
Care Communities are just one way that FAMs can serve a family in our area. Formed within the FAM, these Care Communities are made up of 6-8 individuals who commit to a minimum of one year of prayer and service to a family. They assist with practical needs, providing meals, helping with household chores, and serving as child mentors to build up foster families. Through weekly updates, the team stays in touch with the specific needs of each family, flexing through seasons of need, challenge, growth, and praise.
Not sure you’re ready to form a care community?
Here are other ways your church can help right now!
Collect items for Dwell care packages or the Hope Chest.
Invite Dwell to speak at your service or event.
Volunteer at a Dwell event and stay in touch through our newsletter.
Pray for our mission and ministry, the families we serve, and the children we fight for.
Give. Take up a special offering or add Dwell to your outreach mission and budget.
We’re part of the Promise686 Network, and follow their curriculum as we establish Family Advocacy Ministries and to educate, train, and support Care Communities. Promise enables Dwell’s work in Lycoming and our surrounding counties so that our mission walks into the homes of foster parents, ensuring every child has a safe, loving, forever home in which to Dwell.
